The Atlanta Journal,
Saturday, 20th September 1913,
PAGE 3, COLUMN 5.
Taking the Mary Phagan case as an example, Chief of Police
Beavers is going to instruct his men just what to do from first to
last in working on similar cases. He will give specific instructions
about the preliminary steps in detection.
The chief's firmest orders will be for the officers first to
disturb the body as little as possible. He wants few footprints
around the corpse. Also he will tell his men not to touch the body
or clothing any more than possible. This is liable to obliterate
finger prints. The value of this evidence, said the chief Saturday,
is inestimable in modern police work.
Until a finger print system is installed in the local department
government experts will be called upon in future cases.
PAGE 6, COLUMN 6
NEW COURT HOUSE
TO BE
RUSHED TO
COMPLETION
The basement and the first floor of the new Fulton county
court house will be ready for occupancy by the first of January,
1914, according to Chairman Shelby Smith, of the Fulton county
board of commissioners.
The offices of the clerk of courts, the sheriff, the tax collector
and the tax receiver will be the first to move into the new
structure, but it is expected to be the fall of next year before the
entire building is ready for occupancy.
Rush orders have been given all contractors, according to
Mr. Smith, and every effort will be made to hurry the completion
of the building.
It had been hoped that the building would be ready for
occupancy when the new municipal court starts work on January
1, but this will be impossible, and it is probable that the five
justices of the municipal court for a time at least will occupy the
court rooms now used by justices of the peace.
PAGE 11, COLUMN 3
POLICE ARE
INVESTIGATING
DETECTIVE
BLACK'S FLIGHT
Following a lengthy conference with Detective John Black,
Chief of Police Beavers was later closeted with Chief of Detectives
Lanford. Instructions were given the latter to make a thorough
investigation of the alleged fight of Black in a room of the
Exchange hotel in Birmingham, Ala., and make a report in writing
direct to the police chief.
In the interim, it is learned, Black will continue to serve on
the local detective force.